City Council

Thursday, February 14,2008
Minutes



ST. GEORGE CITY COUNCIL MINUTES
WORK MEETING
FEBRUARY 14, 2008, 4:00 P.M.
ADMINISTRATION CONFERENCE ROOM

PRESENT:
Mayor Daniel McArthur
Council Member Gail Bunker
Council Member Suzanne Allen
Council Member Gloria Shakespeare
Council Member Gil Almquist
Council Member Jon Pike
City Manager Gary Esplin
City Attorney Shawn Guzman
City Recorder Gay Cragun

OPENING:
Mayor McArthur called the meeting to order and welcomed all in attendance. The pledge of allegiance was led by Kent Perkins. Council Members Pike and Almquist arrived. The invocation was offered by Gail Bunker.

CHILDREN?S MUSEUM:
Council Member Bunker explained that several years ago when the City conducted a survey on what the community wanted, one of the top things wanted was a children?s museum. One of the problems is a location. She proposed that at least the bottom two floors of the Leisure Services building be used for a children?s museum when it is vacated. In order to fundraise, a letter of intent is needed from the City.

Edward Southwick advised he was leading a group of 25-30 citizens interested in the children?s museum. He presented a DVD on the Treehouse Museum in Ogden.

Mrs. Southwick advised that a building is needed in order to fundraise.

Tanya Christensen advised that she has had the opportunity to visit many children?s museums between Seattle and Ft. Lauderdale, and the one thing they all have in common is happy children and happy families. She stated that children learn best through play, and a children?s museum will also benefit the schools. She stated the Leisure Services building would be ideal because it is centrally located.

Mrs. Southwick commented that a children?s museum is not a babysitting agency but is an educational resource center and children must be accompanied by their parents.

Mr. Southwick advised that the system has been well worked out and he felt strongly a children?s museum would be good for St. George. The bottom line is a commitment is needed from the City as to a location.

Mayor McArthur commented the Leisure Services building is a historic building and is consistently used. He suggested there might be another location in the Town Square to build a children?s museum.

Council Member Allen suggested the third floor of the Leisure Services building could be used as a start.


St. George City Council Minutes
February 14, 2008
Page Two

Mrs. Southwick commented that at least 6,000-7,000 sq. ft. was needed.

Mayor McArthur advised that since the Leisure Services building is a historic building, the City cannot tear down wall. However there are no walls on the third floor and this might be an acceptable use.

Leisure Services Director Kent Perkins presented a power point presentation on current uses in the Leisure Services building, special events, ongoing uses, community programs, community education, thoughts for consideration and proposed third floor improvements.

Tanya Christensen advised they are willing to use the Leisure Services building or build a new building within the Town Square, but they need a commitment from the City.

Kent Perkins advised he believed the square footage of each floor within the Leisure Services building was 5,600 sq. ft.

Council Member Allen suggested the third floor of the Leisure Services building could be used as a beginning so that fundraising efforts could begin.

City Council Members indicated their support for the project.

CELEBRITY CONCERT SERIES:
George Whitehead distributed programs of this year?s and next year?s concerts. He advised the Celebrity Concert Series is 50 years old and thanked the City for its sponsorship.

SOUTHWEST SYMPHONY:
JJ Abernathy and Cheryl Scott, Executive Director, distributed information packets to the Mayor and Council and advised there is a new board. The Symphony performs eight concerts a year. There are 80 members of the Symphony; the conductor is Gary Caldwell. The Symphony has a new website.

ST. GEORGE MUSICAL THEATER:
Doug Balch, Chair of the St. George Musical Theater, expressed appreciation for the City?s donation of $5000 each year. He advised the SGMT was in negotiations to purchase a building to house the SGMT and they have secured a $250,000 last dollar grant from the Eccles Foundation for the building. He advised they have pledges of $100,000 in kind and have raised $635,000 in cash.

Deborah Worth distributed a brochure and advised that more funds are needed.

Council Member Bunker expressed appreciation to the City for allocating funds each year to arts organizations.

AIR QUALITY FEES:
Bill Swensen presented a power point presentation on air quality regulations, progress made with the aggregate industry, improved blasting activities, education and training, permitting, proposed fee schedule, and proposed civil penalties.

St. George City Council Minutes
February 14, 2008
Page Three

Council Member Allen inquired if all contractors affected will be given notice that fines will be assessed for violations.

Mr. Swensen replied that they will be notified, however, they will not be fined right away as City staff will first work with them.

Jay Sandberg advised a lot of contractors and truckers are aware of the program, and it has always been understood that there will be fees and fines. A training program will be provided quarterly to educate everyone. Mr. Swensen has done a good job of educating the industry players.

Council Member Almquist inquired about dust from track-out.

Mr. Swensen replied that the regulations address this and it must be cleaned up promptly. He advised the time within which to clean it up needs to be more clearly defined.

City Manager Gary Esplin advised he would schedule the matter on the next City Council agenda. He inquired of Mr. Swensen if the Committee approved of the regulations.

Mr. Swensen replied that they did.

The meeting then adjourned.



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Gay Cragun, City Recorder